Insignia of the Uniformed M.ilitia 



Cap and Helmet Devices 



HAT ORNAMENT, INDEPENDENT DRAGOONS (?) , C. 1800 



USNM 14978. Figure 97. 



This silver ornament is one of the most unusual 

 pieces of military insignia in the national collections. 

 Obviously military, it is just as obviously of Militia 

 origin. Although hardly artistic in design, it has a 

 rather attractive simplicity and has been made with 

 considerable care. The eagle is of the "frogleg" 

 design that first appeared on buttons of the post- 

 Revolutionary Army and, later on, of the Legion. 

 In its right talon the eagle is grasping what appear 

 to be rather stylized thunderbolts, and in its left, 

 arrows. The arc above the eagle's head is comprised 

 of sunrays, an edge of clouds, and 1 6 6-pointed stars. 

 If the number of stars is of significance, the piece 

 would date prior to November 1802 when the 17th 

 state, Ohio, was admitted to the union. The "frog- 

 legged" aspect of the design would tend to confirm 

 such dating, and the thunderbolts in the right talon, 

 symbolic of a belligerent attitude, could be attributed 

 to the national temper during the "quasi war" 

 with France, 1798-1800. The "id," in delicate 

 floriated script on the eagle's breast, quite out of 

 consonance with the design and execution of the 

 piece proper and obviously the work of a talented 

 engraver, is interpreted as "Independent Dragoons." 

 Too small for a hat frontpiece, it was probably worn 

 as a side ornament on a dragoon helmet. 



■ , u /J A/"* — 



Figure 97 

 LEATHER FAN COCKADE, C. 1 8 10 



USNM 60257~M QS-K 15'). Figure 98. 



The leather fan cockade became a part of the 

 uniform in the late 18th century, having evolved 

 from the cloth cockade adopted early in the Revolu- 

 tion.'"" Enlisted men's cockades of the early 19th 

 century were of leather, as were those of line 

 officers."" This cockade, of black tooled leather 



wo FiNKE, pp. 71-73. 



"" Todd, "Three Leather Cockades," pp. 24-25. 



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